Piper Perabo to Star in ABC Drama Pilot 'Notorious'

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Marking her return to series television following USA Network's 'Covert Affairs.'

Piper Perabo is returning to series television.

The Covert Affairs alum has nabbed the leading role in ABC legal drama pilot Notorious, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Inspired by the true-life stories of famed criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, the project is a provocative look at the unique, sexy and dangerous interplay of criminal law and the media.

Perabo will take on the role of Julia and inspired by Walker. The character is the driven producer of the No. 1 TV news program in the country. She’s squeaky clean on paper, but fights in the mud when necessary. She not only controls the nation’s headlines, she owns them. She's attractive and strong, but also vulnerable.

Graceland's Daniel Sunjata will star as Jake, the character inspired by Geragos. Kate Jennings Grant, Aimee Teegarden and J. August Richards co-star.

For Perabo, the role marks her return to series television following a five-season run on USA Network's Covert Affairs, where she played a CIA operative. Should Notorious move to series, it would be Perabo's broadcast series-regular debut following guest roles on shows including NBC's Go On. On the feature side, her credits include her breakout role in Coyote Ugly as well as Cheaper by the Dozen, The Cave and The Prestige. She is repped by ICM Partners.

Drop Dead Diva's Josh Berman will pen the pilot script alongside Allie Hagan. The latter also will co-exec produce. Geragos, Walker, Berman, Kenny Meiselas, Jeff Kwatinez, Josh Barry and Michael Engler will exec produce, with Engler also set to direct the pilot. Notorious is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television, ABC Studios and The Firm.